Grand Rapids road-rage suspect charged after turning himself in

GRAND RAPIDS -- As Michaelia Clark's fractured pelvis heals from an alleged road-rage attack two weeks ago, the Southwest Side woman is angry the man accused of running her down is free on bond.

Brad Townes, 23, of Kentwood, turned himself in to Grand Rapids Police on Monday and was arraigned on three felony charges punishable by up to five years in prison.

Townes was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond after the brief Grand Rapids District Court hearing, frustrating Clark, a 27-year-old mother of three who still can't care for her children on her own.

"I'm relieved that he's going to face the music," she said. "But, for two weeks, I've been struggling to even move, and he's been able to prepare himself and get situated. I didn't have that."

Press Photo/Dave RaczkowskiMichaelia Clark, with her son, Arik, 7. Clark suffered a fractured pelvis after being crushed against her vehicle.

Clark was driving north on Grandville Avenue SW near Hall Street on March 8 when she said a stranger used his vehicle to tap her car's rear bumper twice. She said she pulled over to ask him what the problem was, and he allegedly drove into her, pinning her between their cars and causing the injury.

Clark remains uncertain about what sparked the incident. She said she doesn't believe her driving incited the alleged assault.

Police found a mirror part from Townes' vehicle near the alleged attack and used that to track him.

Neither Townes nor his attorney, Thomas Rizzo, could be reached for comment. He has cooperated with investigators, and he and Clark do not know each other, police said.

State records show Townes has several driving violations, including three speeding tickets and two crashes since 2002. He also was convicted in 2005 for misdemeanor domestic violence.

Since the alleged attack, Clark has visited an orthopedic surgeon, who said it's unclear whether she will require surgery. Clark said she will be off work for three months.

She hopes Townes, if convicted, will lose his driver's license and serve a jail sentence similar to her recovery time.

"I'd like to see him sitting and waiting and not be able to do what he wants," she said. "Sit on his butt and understand what he did."